Groundhog Day is a
holiday celebrated on February 2 in the United States and Canada. Accordin
g to folklore, if it is cloudy when a groundhogÂ emerges from its burrow o
n this day, it will leave the burrow, signifying that winter will soon end.
If on the other hand, it is sunny, the groundhog will supposedly "see its
shadow" and retreat back into its burrow, and winter will continue for six
more weeks.

Modern customs of the holiday involve celebrations where
early morning festivals are held to watch the groundhog emerging from its b
urrow. In southeastern Pennsylvania, Groundhog Lodges (Grundsow Lodges<
/em>) celebrate the holiday with fersommlinge social events in whi
ch food is served, speeches are made, and one or more g'spiel (pla
ys or skits) are performed for entertainment. The Pennsylvania German diale
ct is the only language spoken at the event, and those who speak English pa
y a penalty, usually in the form of a nickel, dime or quarter, per word spo
ken, put into a bowl in the center of the table.

The largest Groundho
g Day celebration is held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Groundhog Day rece
ived worldwide attention as a result of the 1993 film of the same name, Gro
undhog Day, which was set in Punxsutawney and featured Punxsutawney Phil.
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